Small Businesses, Get Ready for the Holidays
From hiring seasonal staff to updating your marketing approach, there are a number of things you can do to prepare your small business for the holiday season. In this blog post from the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, we'll give you an overview of some of the most important things to keep in mind as you get ready for one of the busiest times of the year.
Bringing On Seasonal Staff
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your small business for the holiday season is to hire seasonal staff. BerniePortal notes that extra hands will be essential during this busy time, and you'll want to make sure you have enough staff on hand to handle the increased customer volume.
When hiring seasonal staff, it's important to look for individuals who are friendly, outgoing, and have experience working in a fast-paced environment. You'll also want to make sure they're available to work the hours you need them and that they're comfortable with any additional responsibilities they may have, such as gift wrapping or handling returns.
Spruce Up Your Storefront
LinkedIn points out that one way to get into the holiday spirit is by decorating your storefront. This doesn't have to be anything major; even something as simple as hanging a few strands of lights or putting up a holiday-themed sign can help spread some cheer. Just be sure not to go overboard and block any windows or doors so that customers can still see inside your store.
Capture Those (Very) Last-Minute Shoppers
Also don't forget about attracting last-minute shoppers. Many people wait until the last minute to do their holiday shopping, so it's important that you make it easy for them to find what they're looking for on your website or in your store. One way you can do this is by offering express shipping or same-day delivery on certain items. You can also put together special last-minute deals or promotions that will appeal to procrastinators looking for a bargain.
Make Your Current Marketing Approach Holiday-Friendly
In addition to attracting and converting last-minute customers, another important thing you'll need to do is update your marketing approach for the holidays. This means creating marketing materials that are specifically geared towards the holiday season, such as festive flyers and engaging social media posts. You'll also want to make sure your website is updated with any holiday sales or promotions you'll be running.
Create a Unique Gift Guide
If you haven't already done so, now is also a good time to create a gift guide. A gift guide is a great way to showcase your products and help customers find the perfect gift for their loved ones. The best part is that it doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming to create one. Simply create a PDF document with photos and descriptions of your products and make it available on your website or social media channels.
Another way to create a PDF is by converting original documents – whether it be Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or even graphics like JPGs – and saving them as PDFs. The steps to convert a file to PDF are simple and fast: Select the original file or drag and drop it into the drop zone, then download your new PDF once conversion is complete. Now you’re ready to share it with the world!
Gift Your Local Community
The holidays are also a great time to give back to your local community. There are quite a few ways you can do this, such as hosting a food drive, collecting toys for children in need, or donating a portion of your profits to a local charity. Not only will this make you feel good, but it will also help increase brand awareness and attract new customers who appreciate your charitable efforts.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to prepare your small business for the holiday season. By hiring seasonal staff, updating your marketing approach, creating a gift guide, and more, you'll be well on your way to making this one of your most successful seasons yet.
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